Rockhound Travels & Food
When traveling for rockhound adventures, you can also experience adventures at the dinner table, especially in other countries. Here are a few of my adventures.
BANQUET OFFERINGS
When you order a meal while in a foreign country if you do not recognize it, ask what it is…and never ask what you have eaten aer you have nished it. You may not like what you hear! I learned this lesson when I was in China to lecture at their rst International Gem and Mineral Symposium in Beijing. Symposium speakers were guests at the Saturday night banquet. e entertainment was a group of singers known as Mongolian roat Singers. is group of men had been trained since their youth to make deep throaty howls. ey howled in harmonized tones that went up and down the scale that were designed to be heard at great distances. e banquet food was an assortment of vegetables and meats served on a large turntable at each table. We helped ourselves and I chose several slices of what looked like beef medallions along with some familiar vegetables. e meal was excellent and accompanied by nice wine. Aer we nished, the table conversation was about the various foods we had eaten. I made the mistake of commenting on the steak medallions and someone chuckled and said, “ at was dog!” Lesson learned!
FAMILY DAY DINING
On another evening in China, my wife Carol and I were invited to dine with a wholesale mineral dealer and his family on Family Day. is is a special day in China. It is a day o work, so families gather at each meal. Unfortunately, the dealer chose a restaurant where spicy food was served. I asked if it would be possible for the spices to be reduced in the food. My request was conveyed to the chef. Suddenly, he came out of the kitchen looking quite annoyed. He and our host had a spirited discussion and I was informed the chef was quite insulted by my request. I was told I should apologize to the chef so I did. I ate his food with the help of a few swigs of beer.
AGE & RESPECT When I had lunch with the Beijing Museum sta, 15 of us assembled in a private room. As we led in, everyone stood behind their chairs and did not sit. I assumed we were waiting for someone else. en I was told that since I was the oldest person in the group they were waiting for me to be seated. I sat and so did the group. en someone raised a glass of beer and toasted my age. I, in turn, toasted the group for inviting me to lunch. at’s when I learned another Chinese tradition. When you raise your glass to toast and touch glasses you must drink